Automatic safety signal device



P. J. MURPHY.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPuc ATl N FILED JULY 29,1921.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET WITN E55:

P. J. MURPHY.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY SIGNAL DEVICE. v

I APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,;1921. 1,%02,64O, v Patented Jan. 3, 1922,

a SHEE'TSSHEET 2] j? Jail/70 WW4) a;

v ATTORNEY WTTN E55:

@P. J. MURPHY. 1 AUTOMATIC SAFETY SIGNAL DEVCE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 29.1-921.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ATTORNEY U STATES PIERCE J. MURPHY, 0F TECUMSEH, NEBRASKA.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY SIGNAL DEVICE.

aoaeao.

' Application filed July 29,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PIERCEJ. MURPHY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tecumseh, in the county of Johnson and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Safety Signal Devices, of which the following is a specification. I Y

This invention relates to signaling devices for use on railroads and has for its object the provision of a signal primarily designed for use at corners whereby to warn persons desiring to cross the tracks of the approach of a train, the device being so constructed that a semaphore signal will be automatically thrown to the danger indicating position -when the train reaches a certain predetermined point in the track.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character which may also be used as a block signal as well as a crossing signal, the construction and operation being the same in either event, and the arrangement being such that thesignal will not be affected by a train passing from a crossing or block as a specially constructed trip device is provided which is capable of actuation in only one direction.

A further object is the provision of a signal device which is positively thrown to danger indicating position upon approach of a train and which will automatically return to normal position more or less slowly, the

rate of return being controlled by a compres sion cylinder therein.

An additional object isthe provision of a device of this character which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive in conhaving an adjustable valve struction and installation, highly efficient in Figure at is a cross sectional view through Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

1921. Serial No. 488,429. i

B designates a crossing, though it is to be distinctly understood that the signal device to be hereinafter described may be used at the beginning and end of a block instead of at a crossing though only the latter will be described as the operation in the event of the former use is readily understandable. In carrying out my invention as applied to a crossing, I provide a suitable upright support 10 mounted at the crossing and near the track. Pivoted upon this support is an arm 10 upon which is pivoted, as shown at 11, a semaphore arm 12 of suitable construction whichiis movable to be disposed in a downwardly extending position indicating safety or to extend in a horizontal position indicatingdanger. Also secured upon this support 1018 avertical cylinder 13 within which operates a piston 14 carried by a piston rod 15 operating through a suitable guide 16 on v the support 10. The cylinder 13 may contain air, oil or other liquid, and the piston 14:. is valved whereby the fluid at either side thereof may passto the other side, the valve beingso constructed that it is in the nature of a check valve whichwill permit the piston to move downwardly freely but retard itsupward movement, the retardation depend- 1ng upon adjustment of a regulating screw. This valve is designated by the numeral 17 and the screw by the numeral 18. The semaphore arm 12 has a pivoted connection 19 with the piston rod 15 so that the piston of the semaphore arm will be governed by movement of the piston and the piston rod. 1 The numeral 20 designates a spring which normally holds the piston rod and piston'upwardly with the semaphore armin inoperative or normal position. i

Located on, the track beside one of the" rails thereof, at any desired point in advance of the QIOSSiI g, is a trip 21 carried by a shaft 22 journaled in bearings carried by plates 23' secured upon the ties; The shaft 22 carries a large gear 24 which meshes with a small gear 25 mounted upon one end of a drum 26 -which is journaled within bearings 27 mounted on a post or block 28 embedded at the side of the track. A cable, chain or wire 29 is secured at one end to; the drum 26 and is wrapped 'thereabouuthis flexible member being then lead over a plurality of guide pulleys 8O suitably mounted on posts3l located at the side of the trackway, the flexible member having its other end extending to the signal device and connected with the short end of the arm. 12.

The trip 21 is not rigidly secured upon the shaft 22 but may move idly in one direction upon the shaft, movement in the other direction effecting rotation of the shaft.

This might be accomplished in a great 'variety of ways though I have shown the trip "as rotatably mounted on the shaft 22 and provided with a slot 32 throi'igh which projects a pin 33 extending laterally from the shaft 22. The numeral 34 designates a spring which has one end connected with the end of'the pin 33 and which has its other end connected with the adjacent side of the trip, the purpose of this spring being to holdthe trip normally against the pin 33.

. In the operation of the device it will be seen that when a train approaches a crossing the flanges of the wheel at one sideof the train will strike against the'trip 21 and swing it downwardly whereupon the engagement of the trip with the pin 33"will cause partial rotation of the shaft 22 and consequently the gear 24:. Themovem'ent of the gear 24 "causes rotation of the pinion 25 and drum 26 and as-the drum is rotated the flexible member 29 will be wound thereonto and 'this will result in pulling upon theflexiblemember. As the flexible member is pulled'it is apparent that the signal arm When "the train has passed by and the last wheel has gone beyond the trip, the parts will return to normal position under themfluence of'the spring 20 associated with the the trip. The return of the signal arm 12 to normal position is notrapid in order to avoidsuch return until the train has had an'opportunity to reach and pass thecrossing. The degree ofretardation of the moveshown, it is to be understood that two trip devices would be used at a crossing in the "event of a single track upon whichf trains run in both directions, it being noted that the trap construction is *such that it will operate to move the signal only when engaged by a train approaching the crossing, passage of a train in the other direction causing the trip member merely to move idly upon the shaft 22. In the'event of a double track it is of course apparent that either one or two signal members may be employed and of course two trip members, one of the latter being associated with each track. In the event that the device is used as a block signal", it is apparent that the signal proper would naturally "be so mounted that the arm 12 would extend trans" versely with respect to the trackway instead of transversely with respect to the roadway as in the event "of a crossing.

From the foregoing description .and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have'thus provided a simply constructed and easily installed signaling device "which'w'ill operate entirely automatically and which will efficiently perform all the functions for whichit'is intended, the

device, owing to its simplicity, being capable of having long life and requiring practically no attention.

While I have shown and describedthe preferred embodiment ofmy invention, it is of course to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form,

construction, and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the inventionbrthe scope of the subjoined claims.

p 1. A signal device'comprising a movable signal arm located at a point to be protected,

in combination with a track mechanism 7 com risin a shaft c'arr m a ear and mounted along the track at a point remote from the signal, a trip on said shaft, atwinding drum having operative connection with said-gear, and a flexible member secured to and trained about thedrum and connected 'with said ignal arm.

2. A signal device comprising a movable signal armlocated 'at'a-pointto be protected,

in combination wi'tlratrack mechanism com- 7 prising a shaft carrying a gear and-mounted I along'the track "at a point remote from the piston 15 and the spring 34 associated with "signaha trip on said shaft, a winding drum having operative connection with said gear, and a flex'iblemelnber secured to and trained about the drum and connected with said "signalme'mber, the trip membcrbeing freely rotatable upon the shaft in one directioniand causing rotation of the shaft when moved in the other direction.

3. A signal device-comprising a movable signal arm located at a point to'beprotected,

in combination witha track 'mechanismc'ompris'inga shaftcarrying a gear and mounted along the track at a pointremo'te from the signal, a trip on said shaft,'a winding drum having operative connectionwith said gear,

and a flexible member secured to and trained about the drum and connected with said signal member, said trip being rotatable upon the shaft in one direction and being formed with an elongated slot, and a pin eX- tending laterally from the shaft and extending through said slot whereupon upon move ment of the trip in the other direction rotation of the shaft will be caused.

4L. In an automatic signaling device, a track mechanism including a shaft, a drum associated with and driven by said shaft, a flexible member secured to and trained about the drum and adapted to exert a pull upon the signal member upon a remote point, a trip 011 said shaft and rotatable thereon freely in one direction, the trip being formed with an elongated slot adjacent the shaft, a pin extending laterally from the shaft and through said slot and engageable by the trip when the latter is moved in the other direction, and a spring connected with said pin and with the adjacent side of the trip.

5. In an automatic signaling a device, a support located beside a track at afdanger point, a signal arm pivoted intermediate its ends upon said support, means connected with said arm whereby to move the same into signal position, a closed cylinder secured upon said support in upright position, a piston within said cylinder and carrying a piston rod slidable through the upper head of'the cylinder, a movable connection between said piston and the signal arm, spring means normally urging the signal arm into inoperative position, said cylinder containing a fluid for retarding movement of the piston.

I 6. In an automatic signaling device, a support located beside a track at a danger point, a signal arm pivoted intermediate its ends upon said support, means connected with said arm whereby to move the same into signaling position, a closed cylinder secured upon said support in upright position, a piston within said cylinder and carrying a piston rod slidable through the upper head of the cylinder, a movable connection urging the signal arm into inoperative position, said cylinder containing a fluid for retard ing movement of the piston, said piston being provided with a check valve opening freely in one direction and practically seating in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

PIERCE J. MURPHY, 

